Katya

“Dom, your Cinderella is back. What are you going to do about that stand-in little sister?” Matt teased...

I froze against the door of the private room, my hand hovering over my phone. My heart thudded painfully in my chest, each beat echoing like a warning.

I wasn’t meant to hear this. I wasn’t supposed to be here, at least not like this. I had only followed the location Dom sent me, intending to surprise him that I was able to drive myself safely for once.

We had been in a secret relationship for seven years and he insisted on keeping it low until he sorted out the issue.

Well, the issue being my brother who would kill him the second he found out!

Literally.

Matt’s words made my fingers go limp, and I waited. Waiting to hear his answer.

Anna was the love of his life, but she had been gone for seven years.

“It’s you I love, Katya.” His voice echoed in my head.

I believed him, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear him say it to his friends right?

But the answer didn't come and my heart sank.

“She left years ago,” Another voice jumped in, “She made her choice, and he’s moved on. Give the guy a break.” A voice I don’t recognize adds, laughing in the process.

I peep through the small opening and I can see Dom, looking as unbothered as ever as Matt takes a sip of his beer before he speaks again,

“Moved on, huh? To what? Sinnet’s little sister? That’s bold, Dom. I have to hand it to you. Using her as a stand-in for Anna? That’s cold and I can bet my balls, Sin will kill you when he finds out...”

Tears sting my eyes as I release the doorknob without hearing the rest of the words and turn to run back to the car park.

I should have known better. I’m a stand-in for his princess. My vision blurs and my heart feels like it’s being torn to shreds as I drive away feeling like someone is squeezing my heart painfully slow.

When Dom had asked me to come tonight, I thought it was a step forward—an acknowledgment of us. We’ve been planning to get married for over five years and Instead of a ring, it felt like the final thread of hope snapped in half.

……

I woke up to an empty bed the next morning, the silence in the apartment louder than any noise could ever be. My body ached as I lay there, staring at the ceiling. It wasn’t that Dom hadn’t come home. It was that I hadn’t expected him to. He wasn’t the man I thought he was anymore.

A soft sound from the bedroom door stirred me from my thoughts, and I turned to see Dom standing at the edge of the bed, a smile plastered across his handsome face like everything was fine.

Dom was my brother's second in command.

I come from a mafia family and let's just say, it's pretty intense!

“Morning, malyshka,” he said.

I glared at him, but he didn’t seem to care. Like it didn't bother him! Instead, he strolled over to the bed and leaned down, bracing one hand on either side of me, caging me in.

“Where’d you go last night?” he asked, his voice low and edged with command.

I wanted to hit him, to scream, to wipe that smug expression off his face.

Instead, I looked away, my jaw tightening.

“I think you know the answer to that, Dom.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, the smirk fading. He cupped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“Don’t play fucking games with me, Katya. Why didn’t you come?”

I closed my eyes briefly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. This man was seriously testing my patience and I wasn't above murder.

I grew around it. An independent strong girl.

I'm a fucking Morozov!

But love made me stupid.

A weak girl. And now here I was holding back the tears threatening to spill.

No, I wasn’t going to cry in front of him.

Not again.

Seeing my silence, his expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

“Come on, don’t be like that. I waited for you and wanted to spend time with you, baby. Let’s go together to Anna’s welcome party. I need you by my side. We’re getting married soon, after all.” The earlier coldness from a second ago vanished into thin air.

Untraceable.

My heart stirred. He always knew the right words to say to me after he had acted up. But I didn’t give in, Anna was the one in question. I would be stupid to go there.

“Come on,” he urged, sitting beside me and placing his tattooed hand on my knee. “Please. Just for a little while. It’s important to me that you’re there. I’ll tell the world about us soon.”

Then it hit me like light bulbs. Maybe this was a chance for me to see if he was truly over Anna.

I took a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll go.

Katya

A few hours later,

When we arrived at the party, I wasn’t new to this world. I grew up in it. So if someone’s brain was blown up from nowhere it wouldn’t shock me.

My brother was the leader of the North side.

A crime lord.

It didn’t take long for Dom to slip away, disappearing into the crowd without a word. I stood there for a moment, unsure of where to go or who to talk to. I didn’t know anyone here. I sure as hell felt like shit standing and gawking at the place.

Suddenly feeling thirsty with no waiters in sight, the kitchen seemed like a good escape, so I made my way toward it.

It took a while to find it but I managed and grabbed the first wine bottle I could get my hands on.

Fuck being Domminic’s little secret.

I was about to turn when I came face to face with Anna.

I’d recognize this face anywhere.

She was everyone’s crush. Blonde hair, a beautiful face, and a body to kill for. She was the full package and she knew it.

Standing infront of me, she smiled at me, but I know a bitch face when I see one.

Anna was most things but not genuine.

“Katya,” she said sweetly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Before I could answer, Anna leaned in a little too close, her eyes flickering with something dark. She stepped back and, in the blink of an eye, deliberately dropped the hot water she was holding. It splashed across my hand, and I gasped as the heat seared into my skin.

“What the hell!”

I yelped in pain, trying to pull my hand back, but she was already pretending ti be remorseful as she pulled my hand toward her forcibly.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” Anna exclaimed,

“You did that on purpose!” I yelled in pain but noticed she had tears in her eyes like she was the fucking victim.

“Katya!” Dom’s voice boomed behind me,

“I’m sorry Dom, I didn’t mean to- Oh God!” She clamped her mouth and ran out of the kitchen. I stood there with my mouth hanging open.

It was like watching a soap opera live.

But the shock didn’t end there, Dom didn’t even spare me another glance as he rushed out, leaving me broken and standing with a burnt arm.

I don’t even know how I got home. My mind was a fog, my body running on autopilot as I dragged myself upstairs. I couldn’t focus on anything except the searing pain in my heart that hurt more than the pain in my hand.

I needed answers. I couldn’t keep pretending that everything was fine, that Dom loved me, that we had a future. I needed to know what he was hiding, why he kept insisting we remain a secret.

Without thinking, I walked straight to his study, the one room he had always kept locked, the one place I had never been allowed to enter.

I stood in front of the door for a moment, my hand resting on the doorknob. Part of me was terrified of what I might find, but I had to know. I had to see what he had been hiding all these years.

The door creaked open, and I stepped inside, my heart pounding. The room smelled of leather and him. The man I loved but kept shredding my heart to pieces. I walked slowly, taking in the space, until my gaze landed on his desk.

And then I froze.

There, sitting on top of the papers, was a photo of Dom and Anna. They were smiling, their faces so close, so perfect together.

It felt like a punch to the gut.

I picked up the photo, my fingers trembling, as the world around me began to spin. How long had this been hidden? Had he ever moved on? So it’s true I was just warming his bed while he waited for his princess!

The pain in my chest grew as my heart felt like an Iron hand was squeezing me painfully and brutally! I couldn’t sbreathe.

My world was crumbling.

I reached for my phone. My hands shook as I unlocked it, my thoughts a blur. I found my brother’s number and pressed the call button.

“My angel?” his voice came through the line,

Tears fell down my cheeks but I hardened my voice as I spoke

“Sin,” I responded. “I’ve made up my mind about the arranged marriage. I'll do it.”

Katya

“Katya Morozov did someone mess with you ?” Sin’s voice reached my ears. He sounded concerned, the usual fire he carried around him warming up my phone.

How I wish I could just tell him everything. But a part of me was ashamed. I let a man use me for seven fucking years!

How pathetic is that?

I swallowed hard, forcing the bitterness in my throat down along with the tears threatening to spill. “No,” I lied, my voice trembling despite the lighthearted tone I tried to force into it. “I’ve just figured it out. I’m going to get married anyway, so does it matter to whom?”

Silence stretched over the line before Sin spoke again, his voice softer this time.

“Are you sure? This isn’t like you, Katya. You said you had something to tell me the last time we spoke, was this what you wanted to say?” Sin asked and the question felt like a stab to the heart because it was a reminder of how naive I was.

I was so sure Dom would propose that I told my brother I had news to share with him but here I was, socking in my own tears with a heart that hurts like it has been ripped open with a knife blade.

Exhaling slowly, I close my eyes as I let my fingers trail over the edge of the desk, where the photo of Dom and Anna still lay like a taunting ghost of his love, mocking and laughing in my face at how much of a fool I am.

. “Besides,” I continued, pushing past the ache in my chest, “I trust Mom and Dad’s judgment. Even if it’s an arranged marriage, I’m sure the candidate has been thoroughly thought through by you all.”

He let out a relieved sigh, but I could sense his lingering suspicion.

“Katya, are you sure? Once we start the process there is no going back.” Sin warned, still hesitant.

“I’m sure. Is it so hard to believe?” I snapped, I know it was bratty of me but I couldn’t help it.

“ No, angel. I’m glad you’ve figured it out. When are you coming back? Do you want to meet him before making the final decision?”

I tightened my grip on the phone, the photo crumpling slightly in my other hand. “No need,” I said firmly looking at the photo one more time before placing it back and walking back to my room. “The sooner we agree, the sooner the company crisis can be resolved. You can start preparing for the wedding, and let’s set the date for a month from now.” I said, burying my body on my bed, careful not to temper with my burnt hand.

Sin sighed, he was worried but he also knew I don’t make certain decisions lightly,

“Got it. I’ll make the arrangements. By the way, do you still have contact with Dom? I heard his goddess is finally back. You should reach out to him, maybe he’ll have time to celebrate with you and wish you some luck.”

My stomach twisted at the mention of Anna.

So, my brother knew. No scratch that, everyone fucking knew except me?

No wonder Dom had insisted on keeping our relationship hidden.

Such an asshole!

The tangled web of lies, secrets, and betrayals felt suffocating. Raizing my gaze to the ceiling, I fought to keep my voice steady. “He’s your friend Sin, not mine. Besides, we’re not even close so don’t bother him!.”

Just then, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the apartment. My grip on the phone tightened. “I’ll call you later,” I said quickly, ending the call before Sin could respond.

I turned around just as Dom stepped into the room, his smile as warm as if he wasn’t a lying bastard.

“Not close to whom?” he asked casually, raising an eyebrow as he tossed his keys onto the bedside table

“Not close to you,” I replied bluntly, my voice icy.

Dom’s smile faltered for a split second before turning into a mischievous grin.

He stepped closer, closing the distance between us. “Really?” he teased, his tone playful as he walked towards my bed and came on top of me, his breath fanning my face as we lay chest to chest. He ran his hands on my face slowly, that stupid smirk still on his face,

“Then tell me, my little liar, how we’re not close. Are we not close enough, or have we not shared enough nights together, hmm?”